Suddenly, all docs (even New) are locked!!

[Anne Henderson]

My neice is having a problem with Word 2002 on an XP Dell
desktop. After using the machine for almost a year for
school with no problems, suddenly she's getting an error
message when she tries to modify any of her old documents
and even New blank documents. The message pops up on the
status line on the bottom of the document window saying
something to the effect that 'this document can't be
modified; it's locked.'

She tried looking up 'locked documents' in Help, but when
she tries to follow instructions for unlocking, the
relevant menu options don't show up or are greyed out.

She looked at the folder properties, but doesn't see
anything out of line there either.

She doesn't have internet access on this machine (never
has) so I wouldn't suspect a virus. She hasn't loaded
any new software onto the machine either.

Any ideas?

 

[garfield-n-odie]

My guess is that because your niece doesn't have internet access, she did not
activate the software by clicking on Help | Activate Product. Unactivated
software can be used a certain number of times, and then it goes into
"reduced functionality mode". Ask your niece to click on Help | Activate
Product. The Activation Wizard should start, and since she won't have access
to the Microsoft website, some instructions for telephone activation should
appear.

 

[Guest]

I came online to find the answer to that same problem!
After having to use system recovery on my computer I had
to reinstall or reactivate Word. I was online until
about 1am this morning with the help desk. Trying to
figure out how to even get Word to open. Once I was able
to open Word and even my resume' I was so elated I
thanked the support person and said goodbye to her. I
then tried to edit my resume' and got the message that it
was locked!!! I could have screamed! So I'll checking and
waiting for a response to your question too! UGH!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Did you in fact activate the product? If so, if you did it by phone, you
should have been given a number to put in somewhere. If you do it online, it
will be done automatically.

 

[Mad_Guyver]

I have the same problem. I have tried to activate word, but when I click on
HELP, then on ACTIVATE PRODUCT, nothing happens! Someone please tell me what
either the computer or I did wrong.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Then you probably have a trial version that has expired. You'll have to
purchase a full version of Office and install it to continue to use it.

 

[Mad_Guyver]

I have had Microsoft Word 2002 for almost a year(December 5). I have never
had a problem before. I have checked most this website for help and I follow
the help word for word, but nothing ever works. Like I said before the
Activate Product button does nothing no matter if it is on word, excel, or
publisher. Please help me. I need to use Microsoft word. The error is "This
command is not available because the document is locked for edit."
Also I am 99.9% positive that this is not a trial version.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

If you have Word 2002/Office XP, then it's not a trial version. But it
still sounds like an activation problem. Try repairing your Office
installation by clicking on Start | Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs
| Microsoft Office XP | Change | Repair. Another option to consider if
you have your Office XP 25-digit product key is to uninstall and reinstall.